When Oswaldo Arcia was sent down to Class AAA Rochester, the Twins thought he might not be there long. But Arcia injured his shoulder May 26, in his first game back.

He's been forced into a designated-hitter role only for the Red Wings, but that's about to end.

"Things are going good," said Brad Steil, the Twins director of minor leagues. "He's getting close. In the next two to three days he will be back in the outfield."

Arcia came down with shoulder problems after making several throws in the outfield and has been on a strengthening program. It has not affected his swing, as he's batted .440 with three home runs and eight RBI over his past eight games for the Red Wings. He's also drawn 10 walks.

With Arcia able to play in the outfield, it will interesting to see if the Twins will summon him back to the majors. Things are a little more complicated with Chris Parmelee showing signs of life in right field and Ryan Doumit starting to thump the ball as a designated hitter/catcher.

Pinto progresses

The Twins have watched catcher Josmil Pinto make steady all-around progress. He was batting .332 at Class AA New Britain and his 35 walks entering Friday are just eight behind his high in any pro season. But Steil really has been pleased with Pinto's advancements behind the plate.

"I just saw him last week in New Britain, and he's doing pretty good back there," Steil said. "[Manager] Jeff Smith is doing a real good job back there. They are focusing on his game-calling and reading hitters and working with the pitchers and umpires. He's making good progress back there."

A promotion

Tyler Duffey is 3-2 with a 2.78 ERA in nine starts for Class A Cedar Rapids. In 58⅓ innings he has walked six batters while striking out 47.

For his efforts, he has been promoted to Class A Fort Myers.

A fifth-round pick last year out of Rice University, the righthander has a fastball that has been clocked in the low 90s and slurve (slider-curve hybrid). He needs a third pitch to be able to make it as a starter, and the club has been pleased with the changeup he's developing.

Etc.

• Catcher Drew Butera (broken hand) and outfielder Mike Kvasnicka (broken hamate bone) could return to action next week.

• Cedar Rapids infielder Niko Goodrum is out for several days after suffering a concussion during a home plate collision on Sunday.

• Righthander Alex Wimmers, a first-round pick in 2010, is on the comeback trail from Tommy John elbow surgery. He has thrown in the bullpen twice and could pitch in a game sometime next month.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com